04/10/2020  Shatin  Race 4

HEALTHY TREASURE began awkwardly and lost ground. HEALTHY TREASURE was then steadied away from the heels of PLIKCLONE shortly after the start when that horse was taken in by GOLDEN MISSION. YES WE CAN, ONE STEP AHEAD and VITAL SPRING were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1200 Metres, LUCKY GUY was crowded for room inside BLAZING PARTNERS which got its head on the side and shifted in away from LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT. Then near the 1150 Metres, LUCKY GUY was steadied away from the heels of BLAZING PARTNERS which was taken in by LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT (V Borges). V Borges was reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that LUCKY GUY had been racing tight inside BLAZING PARTNERS in the lead up to the incident, nonetheless he has a responsibility to ensure that he is properly clear of other runners when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After the 800 Metres, TREASURE CHEST was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 500 Metres, ONE STEP AHEAD was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HEALTHY TREASURE. WONDER WIN got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn. BLAZING PARTNERS was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. LUCKY GUY was shifted to the outside of TREASURE CHEST passing the 300 Metres after being disappointed for running between that horse and E GENERATION. Apprentice C L Chau (BLAZING PARTNERS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching and passing the 200 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting out which resulted in BLAZING PARTNERS making contact on a number of occasions with GOLDEN MISSION (A Badel) and causing that horse to be crowded for room and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 18 October 2020 and to expire on Thursday, 22 October 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). A Badel stated that at the time it received interference GOLDEN MISSION was only travelling fairly and whilst the horse would have finished much closer to the placegetters at the end of the race if not for the interference, nonetheless he did not believe that it was a prospect of placing at the time of the incident. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN MISSION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Approaching the 200 Metres, GALAXY RACER raced tight outside LUCKY GUY which shifted out away from ONE STEP AHEAD which was directed to the outside of TREASURE CHEST to obtain clear running. After the race, C Schofield reported that GALAXY RACER, which gave ground over the concluding stages, did not feel comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of GALAXY RACER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, GALAXY RACER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT, V Borges stated that after obtaining a forward position in the early stages, LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT travelled well throughout the middle stages. He said LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and after giving him a limited response in the early part of the Straight then commenced to give ground after the 350 Metres. He added, despite being ridden out, LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT weakened noticeably approaching and passing the 200 Metres before finishing at the rear of the field. A veterinary inspection of LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, MASTER GALAXY was disappointing in today’s race. He said he was not able to cross LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT in the early stages which resulted in MASTER GALAXY racing outside and marginally in front of that horse in the lead. He said MASTER GALAXY came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and after giving him a limited response in the early part of the Straight then weakened after the 200 Metres. He added based on the way the horse failed to close off the race, he was of the view that MASTER GALAXY may be better suited when able to obtain cover. A veterinary inspection of MASTER GALAXY immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER GALAXY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of WONDER WIN and E GENERATION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDEN MISSION, PLIKCLONE and BLAZING PARTNERS were sent for sampling.